1. Who are you and where are you located?I’m Lee, a lover of all things design, furniture, and textile based. I am the Buyer
and Merchandiser for Furniture Online, an Australia wide on-line furniture destination based in beautiful Sydney, with brick and mortar stores throughout Sydney and Melbourne. It’s an exciting time for us at the moment as our Rose Bay Outlet Warehouse’s reno is now complete!

I have a passion for individuality, colour and design and the way in which colour, furniture and great design can compliment your life.

2. What is your favourite room to design, and in which style?I love to design living rooms. This is the space in which we spend a lot of our time off in, relaxing, talking, catching up or just hanging out with loved ones. My design style is contemporary, a little laid back and softly eclectic.

My ultimate objective when designing is to express my client’s vision and tell their story through the design of their space. I like to combine new pieces with older existing pieces to really layer up the individuality of a space.

I also love to design bedrooms. The bedroom to me is a special oasis away from the rest of the world. Your own private retreat to begin and end each day in, or just take to some time out.

3. What design trends are hot in 2014/2015?In 2014 we have really witnessed a return to individual creativity and expression through the medium of interior decoration and design. Home is where the heart is, and with people choosing to spend more time at home cooking and entertaining, the home environment has really become a showcase for individual expression.

Mountains of texture, colour and bold prints have seen a reinvigoration this season and will do so throughout summer 2014 and well in to 2015. Watch out for more splashes of bold colour throughout the season. Pastels and neutrals will also come in to play, lashings of bronze metallics will be seen and tried and trusted navy blue will evolve this season to become a bold and beautiful indigo blue.

4. Tell us about your career; how has it unfolded?My passion for space, design, furniture and textiles began earlier then I can remember. As a child you could find me on any given day rearranging my bedroom, colour coding the book shelfs or relentlessly rummaging through markets and vintage stores.

I am Sydney born with an intercontinental cultural heritage. In three generations my family has moved across three continents and as a result, I am fascinated, inspired and influenced by different cultures and societies.

I have been in the design industry for over a decade. My qualifications include a Bachelor of Interior Design, Diploma of Fashion and Textile Design as well as business certifications. I began my career as a fashion designer, stylist and buyer before following my true creative calling, Interiors.

What I love about my job is creating spaces for people to improve their life. Fortunately, my work enables me to channel my passion for design and interiors by focusing on offering assisting and guiding our clients through our specially selected ranges of furniture, rugs, beds and a multitude of other home pieces, to help create their special environments.

We trawl the globe looking for something a little different and special to bring to our clients and our customers at prices they want.

5. What has been your key to success? What are your three top tips for aspiring interior designers out there?The key for me, which has helped propel me forward, revolves around my belief that I’ve never quite gotten there (where ever there is!). Every time I’ve had a goal and achieved it, the goal posts move or I find a new challenge to sink my teeth in to and I find myself back at the base of the mountain aiming for the peak.

For any aspiring Interior Designers or Decorators out there I would say; Spend less time doubting yourself and your abilities and more time doing what you love, working hard and having fun. The rest will unravel from there.

“For any aspiring Interior Designers or Decorators out there I would say; Spend less time doubting yourself and your abilities and more time doing what you love”

6. What are the most common decorating mistakes made by homeowners?For any decoration or design project, a plan is a great starting point, and quite often one that is over-looked. It is important to set out armed with the knowledge of what you want to achieve and how to get there.

Incorrect scale and proportion are also ones to watch out for. It always helps to measure, measure and re-measure, to plan the sizes of the furniture and then to stick to the plan. Once sticking to the plan has been mastered you might find that breaking the rules becomes ok. It’s a process of learning to innately understand the elements and principals of design.

Often I see furniture jammed up against walls and windows without what I like to call “room to breathe”. It is important to allow for breathing space in a room, to walk around in and floor the room to flow.

7. What would people be most surprised to know about you?I have an insatiable appetite for auction hunting, globetrotting, coffee and singing loudly but not well!

I have been getting some lovely feedback from those of you who have bought products from our Lili Cabena store – our cushions in particular have been a big hit! Jacs in Belrose sent in this photo of the ‘Good Vibes’ cushions on her couch – we think you’ll agree they look smashing! They definitely give the house a fresh summery vibe!

A photo sent in by customer Jacs who was delighted with her Lili Cabena ‘Good Vibrations’ cushions – they go perfectly on her lounge!

Keep sending me your feedback and I love to see your pictures of where your Lili Cabena artwork has ended up in your home!

So for some Tuesday cuteness here are some pictures of cute critters enjoying snuggling up to their Lili Cabena cushions – enjoy!

This photo was sent in by Sarah in Waterloo who tells us her Puggle, Polly loves to sleep on her Lili Cabena cushion.Lola snuggling up to her Lili Cabena Aqua Chevron cushionBut Lola has to share her cushion with her sister Bronte the Ragdoll kitten! Bronte loves her Lili Cabena Aqua Chevron cushion.

Well folks that’s your Tuesday dose of cuteness! Oh and check back to our store regularly as we are always updating our range!

I’m loving these lazy weekends where it’s too cold to venture outside… brrr.. better just have a productive day indoors in my toasty apartment with a hot cocoa and catch up on some illustration.

Perfume Bottles by Lili Cabena

I didn’t have to venture too much further than my dressing table for inspiration on this one. These are some of my favourite scents and each of the bottles are so pretty! I’ve to use all of these up before buying any more. One for almost every day of the week – love them all!

I’m loving these lazy weekends where it’s too cold to venture outside… brrr.. better just have a productive day indoors in my toasty apartment with a hot cocoa and catch up on some illustration.

Perfume Bottles by Lili Cabena

I didn’t have to venture too much further than my dressing table for inspiration on this one. These are some of my favourite scents and each of the bottles are so pretty! I’ve to use all of these up before buying any more. One for almost every day of the week – love them all!

The weather’s been too chilly to venture out too much lately so I’ve been staying in catching up on some illustration. Today’s has a blue theme and was a very quick acrylic illustration but fun to do and good to get back into practice!

I’ve still got a couple days left of the Drawing Challenge, which I started ages ago, so I’ve finally time to blog day 29.

‘Somewhere I’d Like to Go’. I’d wanted to live by the beach in Sydney for years and finally got to do so last year and couldn’t be happier! I did this quick illustration of sea urchins to capture what it is I like about the beach – the pretty pastel and subtle colours and blue shades of the ocean.

As you can tell I love illustrating food! This sketch is taken from my recipes page which I will be updating with recipes – feel free to leave a comment if you want me to illustrate any favourite recipes – I would be glad to get some ideas!